ERICA QUIROZ/CALLER-TIMES
Del Mar College West Campus cosmetology students gave hand massages at the fifth annual NAACP health fair Saturday

CORPUS CHRISTI - Argentina DeLaGarza, 71, browsed the booths at Del Mar College West Campus on Saturday looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle. She was diagnosed with diabetes in 2005.

“I’ve already changed my eating habits, and I’ve lost 41 pounds in a year,” DeLaGarza said. “I don’t have to use medicine to control my diabetes anymore, and I want to know what other changes I can make to live a long life.”

To help with these changes, DeLagaGarza attended the fifth annual citywide health fair hosted by Corpus Christi Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

DeLaGarza let Gerardo Garay, a doctor of pharmacy candidate from Texas A&M Health Science Center, check her blood sugar at a CVS booth before she moved on to another table.

The event was free to the public and featured 75 vendors who offered health information and free services such as blood sugar tests, cholesterol tests, vision screenings and flu shots. Residents could also register to vote.

Terry Mills, local chapter president of the NAACP, said more than 7,400 people attended the health fair.

“This is our way to give back to the community and to people who normally don’t have access to these services,” Mills said. “If we don’t give back, who will? It’s our way of showing them we’re here to help.”

Nick Adame, president of League of United Latin American Citizens Council No. 1, said through more community efforts, residents can receive the help they need to take control of their health.